Executive Briefings

U.S. Domestic Intermodal Growth Slows, But International Moves Rise

By: Journal of Commerce 08.10.2012

U.S. domestic intermodal growth slackened slightly as the economy slowed in the second quarter, but the transport of international containers on the rails has its healthiest showing in the period since 2008, according to the Intermodal Association of North America.

Domestic intermodal volume rose 12.5 percent year-over-year in the second quarter, a slight deceleration from the 14.9-percent growth in traffic seen in the first quarter. Still, the second quarter was the third straight quarter of double-digit growth.

International traffic increased 3.9 percent between April and June from the same period in 2011, a significant improvement from the 2.9 percent growth seen in the first quarter. Total intermodal traffic rose 5.2 percent in the second quarter and is up 5.5 percent in the first half of 2012.

"I would characterize the state of the industry as 'steady as she goes,' " IANA CEO and President Joni Casey said.

Domestic intermodal volume rose 12.5 percent year-over-year in the second quarter, a slight deceleration from the 14.9-percent growth in traffic seen in the first quarter. Still, the second quarter was the third straight quarter of double-digit growth.

International traffic increased 3.9 percent between April and June from the same period in 2011, a significant improvement from the 2.9 percent growth seen in the first quarter. Total intermodal traffic rose 5.2 percent in the second quarter and is up 5.5 percent in the first half of 2012.

"I would characterize the state of the industry as 'steady as she goes,' " IANA CEO and President Joni Casey said.